Two children in Kerala have died of rabies within a week, sparking public concern and grief. The deaths of six-year-old Siya Faris from Tirurangadi and seven-year-old Niya Faisal from Pathanapuram have led to allegations of lapses in medical care and treatment protocols by their families.
Siya died on April 29 at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital, a month after being bitten by a stray dog. Her father, Samlanul Faris, said she was initially taken to Tirurangadi Taluk Hospital on March 29, but was referred to Kozhikode due to the unavailability of a doctor. The family alleged they had to clean the wound themselves before she was given the rabies vaccine at the medical college.
In a separate incident, Niya Faisal from Kollam district died on May 5 at SAT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. She had been attacked by a stray dog near her home on April 8. Although she received multiple doses of the anti-rabies vaccine and was administered immunoglobulin, she later developed a fever and was diagnosed with rabies. Doctors noted that the injury had ruptured a vein, leading to a grim prognosis despite timely medical intervention.
“The dogs came to eat some waste left on the road. We had warned people not to dump garbage there. When I ran out, I saw them attacking my child,” Niya’s mother told the media.
Health officials said at least seven rabies deaths have been reported in Kerala over the past month, including three children. Those who had close contact with Niya have been quarantined, and strict health protocols were followed for her burial.
The incidents have renewed scrutiny of Kerala’s medical preparedness and stray dog control measures, even as grieving families demand accountability and immediate action.